Adapter assemblies for surgical devices

ABSTRACT

An adapter assembly for connecting an end effector to an actuation assembly includes a base member defining a plurality of notches spaced at least partially about a circumference of the base member, a handle supported on the base member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the base member, and a latch mechanism supported on the handle assembly and selectively engageable with the base member. The latch mechanism includes a button member and a locking member. The button member is movable between a first position in which the locking member is received within one of the plurality of notches to lock the handle relative to the base member, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced from the plurality of notches to unlock the handle relative to the base member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/333,976, filed May 10, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to adapter assemblies for selectively connecting end effectors to the actuation units of powered surgical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a latch mechanism for rotationally securing a rotation handle of the powered surgical devices relative to the actuation assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

Powered devices for use in surgical procedures typically convert rotational motion from an actuation assembly to linear motion for effectuating one or more functions, e.g., clamping, stapling, cutting. To permit rotational alignment of an end effector attached to the actuation assembly without the operator having to manipulate the actuation assembly in an uncomfortable or awkward position, adapter assemblies have been developed for enabling selective rotation of the end effector relative to the actuation assembly. Such adapter assemblies generally include a base that is fixedly secured to the actuation assembly and a rotation handle to which an end effector is attached for rotating the end effector relative to the base and the actuation assembly. It would be beneficial to provide an adapter assembly with a latch assembly to permit the selective rotation of the rotation handle relative to the base.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to an actuation assembly is provided. The adapter assembly includes a base member configured for operable connection to an actuation assembly, a handle assembly supported on the base member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the base member, and a latch mechanism supported on the handle assembly and selectively engageable with the base member. The base member defines a plurality of notches spaced at least partially about a circumference of the base member. The latch mechanism includes a button member and a locking member extending from the button member. The locking member is movable between a first position in which the locking member is received within one of the plurality of notches to rotationally lock the handle assembly relative to the base member, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced from the plurality of notches to unlock the handle assembly relative to the base member.

In embodiments, the base member includes a distal annular flange extending at least partially about the circumference of the base member and defining the plurality of notches. The locking member may define a notch that aligns with the distal annular flange when the locking member is in the second position. The button member may be positioned on a radially outer surface of the handle assembly. The latch mechanism may include a biasing member for biasing the button member radially outward. The biasing member may be a compression spring. The latch mechanism may include a biasing member for biasing the locking member. The biasing member may be a leaf spring. The button member may include indicia for indicating the direction of rotation of the handle assembly relative to the base member.

In embodiments, the plurality of notches is spaced at regular intervals about the circumference of the base member. The plurality of notches may include a first notch and a second notch disposed one-hundred eighty degrees (180°) opposite the first notch. The plurality of notches may include a third notch disposed between the first and second notches. The third notch may be disposed ninety degrees (90°) relative to the first notch. The locking member may be pivotally secured to the button member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electromechanical surgical device including an adapter assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an exemplary actuation assembly, an exemplary extension assembly, and an exemplary end effector;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a handle assembly of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial cross-sectional side view of a base member and a rotation handle of the handle assembly of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1, with parts separated;

FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of a locking mechanism of the handle assembly of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1, with the rotation handle shown in phantom;

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of a locking member of the locking mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3, with the locking mechanism in a first or locked position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail in FIG. 3, with the locking mechanism in the first position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail in FIG. 3, with the locking mechanism in a second or unlocked position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3, with the locking mechanism in the second position; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional end view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3, with the handle assembly rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed adapter assembly for surgical devices and/or handle assemblies are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgical device, or component thereof, farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgical device, or component thereof, closer to the user.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an adapter assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, shown generally as adapter assembly 100, is a component of a powered handheld electromechanical instrument, shown generally surgical instrument 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the surgical instrument 1 includes an actuation assembly 10 configured for selective connection with the adapter assembly 100, and, in turn, the adapter assembly 100 is configured for selective connection with an extension assembly 20. The extension assembly 20 is configured for selective connection with a tool assembly or end effector, e.g. tool assembly 30, which may, in exemplary embodiments, include a loading unit 40 and an anvil assembly 50, for applying a circular array of staples (not shown) to tissue (not shown). For a detailed description of an exemplary actuation assembly, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Although the aspects of the present disclosure will be shown and described as relates to the adapter assembly 100, it is envisioned that the aspects of the present disclosure may be adapted for use with adapter assemblies having an alternative configuration. For a detailed description of exemplary adapter assemblies and exemplary extension assemblies, please refer to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/875,766 (“the '766 application”), filed Oct. 6, 2015, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the adapter assembly 100 includes a coupling assembly 102, a handle assembly 104 supported relative to the coupling assembly 102, an elongate body portion 106 extending distally from the handle assembly 104, and a drive assembly 108 (FIG. 3) extending through the coupling assembly 102, the handle assembly 104 and the elongate body portion 106. The coupling assembly 102 selectively secures the adapter assembly 100 to the actuation assembly 10 (FIG. 1). The drive assembly 108 extends through the coupling assembly 102, the handle assembly 104, and the elongate body portion 106 of the adapter assembly 100, and is configured for transferring power from the actuation assembly 10 (FIG. 1) to an attached end effector, i.e., tool assembly 30 (FIG. 1), for effecting actuation of the tool assembly 30.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, briefly, the drive assembly 108 of the adapter assembly 100 includes first, second, and third connectors 160 a, 160 b, 160 c (FIG. 2) configured for operable connection with first, second, and third drive members (not shown) of the actuation assembly 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the second connector 160 b is operably connected to an elongate drive shaft 162 for transferring rotational motion through the adapter assembly 100. Each of the first and third connectors 160 a, 160 c are operably connected to planetary gear assemblies 164 (FIG. 3; only one shown) supported within the adapter assembly 100. The planetary gear assemblies 164 are configured to convert the rotational motion from the actuation assembly 10 to longitudinal motion. For a detailed description of exemplary adapter assemblies, including an exemplary coupling assembly and exemplary drive assemblies, please refer to the '766 application, the content of which was previously incorporated herein.

With particular reference now to FIG. 3, the handle assembly 104 of the adapter assembly 100 includes a base member or core 110, a rotation handle 120 rotatably supported on the base member 110, and a locking mechanism 130 operably supported on the rotation handle 120. As will be described in further detail below, when the locking mechanism 130 is in an unlocked configuration (FIGS. 9 and 10), the rotation handle 120 is rotatable along the longitudinal axis “x” relative to the base member 110, and when the locking mechanism 130 is in a locked configuration (FIGS. 7 and 8), the rotation handle 120 is rotationally secured relative to the base member 110. In particular, rotation of the rotation handle 120 about a longitudinal axis “x” of the adapter assembly 100 causes the end effector, i.e., tool assembly 30 (FIG. 1), which defines a longitudinal axis “y” (FIG. 1), to articulate or pivot with respect to the longitudinal axis “x” of the adapter assembly 100 to permit positioning of the tool assembly 30 relative to the actuation assembly 10. As such, a clinician is able to orient the tool assembly 30 relative to the actuation assembly 10 without changing the orientation of the actuation assembly 10.

With additional reference to FIG. 4, the base member 110 includes a substantially cylindrical member 112 defining a pair of longitudinal openings 113 a, 113 b for receiving the drive assembly 108 (FIG. 3) therethrough. The base member 110 includes proximal and distal annular flanges 114, 116 and further defines proximal and distal annular grooves 115, 117. The proximal annular flange 114 facilitates attachment of the base member 110 of the handle assembly 104 to the coupling assembly 102. The proximal annular groove 115 accommodates an annular flange of 126 of the rotation handle 120 to rotatably secure the rotation handle 120 to the base member 110.

With reference still to FIGS. 3 and 4, the distal annular flange 116 and the distal annular groove 117 of the base member 110 operate in combination with the locking mechanism 130 of the handle assembly 104 to secure the rotation handle 120 in fixed rotational orientations relative to the base member 110. In particular, the distal annular flange 116 of the base member 110 defines first, second, and third radial cutouts 117 a, 117 b, 117 c configured to selectively receive a lock portion 146 of a locking member 134 of the locking mechanism 130. Although shown with first and third cutouts 117 a, 117 c opposed to one another, and second cutout 117 b oriented perpendicular to the first and third cutouts 117 a, 117 c, it is envisioned that the distal annular flange 116 may define any number of cutouts, and the cutouts may be arranged in any suitable configuration. For example, the cutouts may be arranged in set intervals, and, where the drive assembly 108 permits, the cutouts may be formed extending entirely around the distal annular flange 116 to permit locking of the rotation handle 120 in any three-hundred sixty degree (360°) orientation about the base member 110.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotation handle 120 includes a frustoconical body 122 having a plurality of ridges 124 (FIG. 1) configured for operable engagement by a user. The elongate body portion 106 (FIG. 2) is secured to the rotation handle 120 such that rotation of the rotation handle 120 about the longitudinal axis “x” of the adapter assembly 100 causes rotation of the elongate body portion 106 about the longitudinal axis “x”. In this manner, an end effector, e.g. tool assembly 30 (FIG. 1), secured to the elongated body portion 120 of the adapter assembly 100, or an end effector secured to an extension assembly, e.g., extension assembly 20 (FIG. 1), which is secured to the elongated body portion 120 of the adapter assembly 100, is rotatable independent of movement of the actuation assembly 10 (FIG. 1) to which the adapter assembly 100 is attached.

As noted above, the rotation handle 120 includes an annular flange 126 (FIG. which is received within the proximal annular groove 115 of the base member 110 to permit rotation of the rotation handle 120 relative to the base member 110. The rotation handle 120 defines a radial opening 123 for operably receiving the locking mechanism 130. The opening 123 in the rotation handle 120 is positioned in alignment or registration with the distal annular groove 117 of the base member 110 such that the locking member 134 of the locking mechanism 130 is receivable with the distal annular groove 117 and selectively receivable within each of the first, second, and third cutouts 117 a, 117 b, 117 c in the distal annular flange 116.

With additional reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking mechanism 130 of the handle assembly 104 of the adapter assembly 100 includes a button or latch member 132 for disengaging the locking mechanism 130. The locking mechanism 130 further includes the locking member 134 disposed within the rotation handle 120 and pivotal relative to the button member 132. A first spring member, e.g., compression spring 136, biases the locking member 134 to a locked configuration (FIG. 5).

With continued reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130 includes a base portion 140 configured for operable engagement by a user, and a flange 142 extending from the base portion 140 for engaging the first spring member 136. The base portion 140 of the button member 132 may include indicia for indicating to a user, for example, a direction of rotation of the rotation handle 120. As shown, the base portion 140 of the button member 132 includes a double-sided arrow “I”, indicating that the handle assembly 104 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis “x”.

The button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130 defines a recess 141 (FIG. 3) for receiving the locking member 134, and a pair of cylindrical openings 141 a formed outwardly of the recess for pivotally receiving the pivot members 152 of the locking member 134. A lip 140 a extends along the cylindrical openings 141 a for pivotally maintaining the locking member 134 relative to the button member 132. The flange 142 includes a protrusion 142 a configured to engage a surface 120 a of the rotation handle 120 to maintain the button member 132 within the opening 123 in the rotation handle 120. The protrusion 142 a also engages the first spring member 136 of the locking mechanism 130. In particular, the first spring member 136 biases the button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130 in a radially outward direction.

With additional reference to FIG. 6, the locking member 134 of the locking mechanism 130 includes a pivot portion 144 and a lock portion 146. The pivot members 152 of the locking member 134 extend outwardly from the pivot portion 144 and are configured to be received within the cylindrical openings 141 a in the button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130. The lock portion 146 of the locking member 134 is configured to be selectively received within the first, second, and third radial cutouts 117 a, 117 b, 117 c in the distal annular flange 116 of the base member 110. A notch 143 is formed between the pivot portion 144 and the lock portion 146 of the locking member 134. As will be described in further detail below, alignment of the notch 143 with the distal annular flange 116 of the base portion 110 when the locking mechanism 130 is in unlocked position permits the rotation handle 120 to rotate relative to the base member 110.

A second spring member, e.g., leaf spring 148, is secured relative to the locking member 134 and engages a second surface 120 b of the rotation handle 120. As will be described in further detail below, the second spring member 148 returns the locking member 134 to a locked position (FIG. 3) following release of the button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130.

The operation of the locking mechanism 130 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7-11. Referring initially to FIGS. 7 and 8, the locking mechanism 130 is shown in the locked configuration. In particular, the lock portion 146 of the locking member 134 is received within the first cutout 117 a in the distal annular flange 116 of the base member 110. In the locked configuration, the button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130 is biased radially outward by spring member 136. As noted above, the button member 132 is retained within the opening 123 of the rotation handle 120 by protrusion 142 a extending from the flange 142 of the button member 132.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, when the button member 132 of the locking mechanism 130 is depressed, as indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 9, the button member 132 moves radially inward against the bias of the spring member 136. As the button member 132 moves radially inward, the locking member 134 pivots about pivot members 152 (FIG. 6) in a counter-clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 9, against the bias of the leaf spring 148. The counter-clockwise pivoting of the locking member 134 moves the locking portion 146 of the locking member 134 from within the first radial cutout 117 a of the distal annular flange 116 of the base member 110, such that the notch 143 between the pivot portion 144 and lock portion 146 of the lock member 134 aligns with the distal annular flange 116.

Turning now to FIG. 11, once the locking mechanism 130 is in the unlocked configuration, the rotation handle 120 may be rotated relative to the base member 120, as indicated by arrow “C”. The release of the button member 132 allows the spring member 136 to bias the button member 132 to its initial position. Similarly, leaf spring 148 biases the lock member 134 to its initial position. When the locking member 134 is aligned with one of the first, second, and third radial cutouts 117 a, 117 b, 117 c of the distal annular flange 116 of the base member 110, receipt of the lock portion 146 of the lock member 134 within the respective first, second, and third cutout 117 a, 117 b, 117 c rotationally locks the rotation handle 120 relative to the base member 110.

The locking mechanism 130 may be used throughout the surgical procedure to rotate the elongate body portion 106 of the adapter assembly 100 relative to the actuation assembly 10 (FIG. 1). Following a surgical procedure, the adapter assembly 100 may be sterilized and reused.

Any of the components described herein may be fabricated from either metals, plastics, resins, composites or the like taking into consideration strength, durability, wearability, weight, resistance to corrosion, ease of manufacturing, cost of manufacturing, and the like.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter assembly for operably connecting an end effector to an actuation assembly, the adapter assembly comprising: a base member configured for operable connection to an actuation assembly and defining a plurality of notches spaced at least partially about a circumference of the base member; a handle assembly supported on the base member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the base member; and a latch mechanism supported on the handle assembly and selectively engageable with the base member, the latch mechanism including a button member, and a locking member pivotably secured to the button member, wherein the locking member is pivotable between a first position in which the locking member is received within one of the plurality of notches to rotationally lock the handle assembly relative to the base member, and a second position in which the locking member is spaced from the plurality of notches to unlock the handle assembly relative to the base member.
 2. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member includes a distal annular flange extending at least partially about the circumference of the base member and defining the plurality of notches.
 3. The adapter assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking member defines a notch that aligns with the distal annular flange when the locking member is in the second position.
 4. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of notches are spaced at regular intervals about the circumference of the base member.
 5. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the button member is positioned on a radially outer surface of the handle assembly.
 6. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism includes a biasing member for biasing the button member radially outward.
 7. The adapter assembly of claim 6, wherein the biasing member is a compression spring.
 8. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of notches includes a first notch and a second notch disposed one-hundred eighty degrees (180°) opposite the first notch.
 9. The adapter assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of notches includes a third notch disposed between the first and second notches.
 10. The adapter assembly of claim 9, wherein the third notch is disposed ninety degrees (90°) relative to the first notch.
 11. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism includes a biasing member for biasing the locking member.
 12. The adapter assembly of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is a leaf spring.
 13. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the button member includes indicia for indicating the direction of rotation of the handle assembly relative to the base member.
 14. The adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the base member is rotationally fixed relative to the actuation assembly when the adapter assembly is operably connected to the actuation assembly. 